Chapter 31: Challenge Accepted

"Kili!" cried Sara, trying to pull her hand free from Thorin's, but he held her fast covering her mark as they came to kneel beside the princes.

"What happened?" demanded Thorin.

"I don't know," said Fili, laying Kili out straighter. "He was fine a minute ago. He just collapsed." Thorin pressed the back of Sara's hand firmly to her thigh before lifting Kili off the ground, shaking him slightly.

"Kili," he called. No response. "Kili!" Kili's head flopped around on his shoulders before his chin came to rest on his chest.

"What's wrong with him uncle?" asked Fili, gripping fistfuls of the grass at his knees. It was quiet for a moment until Kili gave a soft snore and they all looked at him in surprise.

"Is he…?" asked Fili.

"Asleep," finished Thorin, laying him down in the grass and crossing his arms. "But what brought this on so suddenly, and why will he not wake?"

"Oh crap," mutterd Sara. They looked to her. "He may have had too much benadryl." The sound of wood being chopped resumed as Beorn placed another log on the block, his back glistening with sweat as he swung his axe down. Gandalf and Bilbo crowded in around them.

"Too much what?" asked Thorin.

"Benadryl," repeated Sara. "It's the medicine I gave him for his hand. I forgot it can pack quite a punch, especially the first time you take it."

"Will he be okay?" asked Bilbo bending to press his hand to Kili's forehead.

"He should be. I was careful to only give him half of the daily dose allowed for a person my size, and Kili weighs more than I do. I guess dwarves just don't handle modern medicine very well."

"When will he wake," asked Thorin.

"I'm not sure… a few hours. Who knows?"

Thorin sighed heavily. "Fili, take him back to the others and tell them to wait there until we come to get them." Fili nodded and scooped up Kili disappearing the way they had come as the rest of them got to their feet. Beorn had set aside his axe and sat on the large stump in the middle of the courtyard. A large shaggy dog rose from where it lay in the shade of the house and came to rest its head in the large man's lap. The dogs coat had once been a dark black but was now peppered with white and gray hairs, and he walked with a slight limp.

"Now as I was saying," began Gandalf.

"I don't much care for what you were saying," cut in Beorn. "In fact I don't much care for any of you." He patted the dog affectionately and it came to sit in front of them, watching them with intelligent eyes. "I don't like visitors, least of all suspicious begging ones. Now be gone. Away with you and your troubles."

"But we have nowhere else to go," insisted Sara, hiding her hands behind her back.

"That is no concern of mine," said Beorn, not bothering to look up as he stood picking up his axe and split a log as big around is a pony's belly. "Get out!" Sara's heart sank. What would they do now? This had been their best hope, for they had almost nothing and still such a long way to go.

"Very well," said Gandalf, bowing deeply to the large man. "We will be off. We are sorry to have intruded and inconvenienced you." He turned to began to shew Bilbo back around the house. Thorin took Sara's hand pulling her after him, but she stood torn, hesitating to leave so easily. She wanted to argue with the man but she caught a warning look from Gandalf and turned letting Thorin pull her away… Or at least they would have moved away had the old dog not moved to sit right in their path. Thorin tried to lead her around the dog, but it growled. They froze. Beorn continued chopping. Thorin moved to take her around the other way but the dog growled again and got to his feet walking toward them. He pulled Sara closer his hand moving to her waist and his other hand reaching behind his back for Orcrist.

"Thorin, no!" hissed Gandalf who had stopped to watch. The wood-chopping stopped and Beorn stood observing them with wary eyes, his grip on the axe handle tightening. Thorin looked to Gandalf, then the dog, and hesitantly let his hand fall to his side. Slowly and quietly the dog came and pushed his muzzle between Sara and Thorin. He held her closer and the dog snarled trying to push between them. Sara looked over her shoulder to see Beorn studying them pensively.

"Thorin it's okay," said Sara, wiggling. "I don't think it will hurt us."

"How can you possibly know that?" he whispered back, glaring at the dog.

"It's body language is all wrong," she said, wiggling against him again. "It's alright. Trust me, let go." With great reluctance he removed his arm from around her waist and allowed the dog to push between them. The old canine sat resting his chin on her stomach, looking up at her with golden eyes under grey eyebrows. It let out a hot huffy breath whining and snuffling softly. Carefully, Sara rested her hand on the dogs head, and when his tail wagged in the dirt expectantly she began to scratch behind its warm floppy ears, watching in amazement as its eyes rolled back in its head contentedly. Sara smiled and crouched so she was more or less at eye level with the dog. It pushed forward eagerly as she continued her ministrations to his ears, head, and chin, knocking her to her butt in the dirt.

"Awe," said Sara as the dog's tail wagged enthusiastically. "You're just a big fuzzy teddy bear aren't you." She rubbed the dogs cheeks making Thorin grimace, but Sara giggled as the dog whined happily begging for more, licking her cheeks.

"Tom," called Beorn, setting aside his axe. "Let her up, and leave her alone." The dog whined pathetically but let Sara get to her feet once again. She was surprised when Tom caught her right hand in his mouth. Thorin took several steps forward growling, but was met with equal growling as Tom looked at him balefully, not relinquishing her hand.

"He's not hurting me," said Sara quickly. "It's okay, he's just holding my hand." Thorin stopped and crossed his arms scowling. Tom began to pull Sara's hand and she let him lead her to stand in front of Beorn.

"It seems that old Tom has taken a shine to you little woman."

"Sara," she said. "My name is Sara." Beorn snorted but bent to scratched the dogs chin. Tom released her hand and pushed it into Beorn's with his nose. The bearded man squated to better examine her right hand.

"You carry an odd mark little Sara," he said, his voice gentling.

"Yes," she said, pulling her hand from his, but he caught her left arm instead and wordlessly began to unwind the bandaging.

"And yet more marks," he said, his eyebrows drawing together as he examined her burns. "These ones I'm familiar with. I have seen them before… in the past." She looked up at him and Tom pushed his head under her free hand whining until she resumed scratching. Beorn's face softened as he stood. "Come with me little Sara," he said, walking past her and the others in several large steps. "I have fresh bandaging inside the house." He disappeared around the corner of the building and Sara followed after him. Gandalf raised his eyebrows in question as she passed and she just shrugged, but when Thorin came to walk with her, Tom resumed his rumbling and pushed between them. The dwarf glowered down at the dog but said nothing. Beorn led them up the steps and walked into his house but Sara and the others stood just outside the door, looking in, not quite willing to cross the threshold, all except Gandalf who tutted softly.

"Don't linger on the doorstep," said Beorn when he noticed they were not with him. "Come inside. I will not harm you." Tom pushed his muzzle into the small of Sara's back, forcing her forward through the door and into the dimly-lit hall, the others following her. The dog led them around an empty rectangular pit that was sunk into the center of the floor, and through the hall until they climbed a few stone steps. Beorn gestured for them to take a seat at the tall wooden table as he began to rummage on the high shelves behind him, and in moments all but Bilbo were seated. Thorin had tried to take the seat next to Sara's, but Tom had jumped up to occupy the spot, so he moved to sit across from her. Beorn deposited a wide basin, several small jars, a towel and new bandaging on the table before he spotted Bilbo still struggling to climb into the tall chair. He grasped the back of the hobbits coat in a massive hand and hauled him up to his seat.

"Your rather skinny for your kind little bunny," he said, reaching for a loaf of bread, a crock each of honey and butter, a hunk of cheese, several wooden mugs, and a large pitcher which he set on the table. He cut the bread lathering it in honey and butter before slicing the cheese and pouring milk. He passed the food out, even setting out a dish of milk for Tom.

"Does this mean you will let us stay?" asked Sara as she bit into the bread, the sweet honey waking tastebuds she had been afraid had died. Beorn poured water from a shrieking kettle into the basin on the table and took a seat in the oversized chair at its head. He pulled several herbs from the jars and put them in the steaming water, prodding the leaves under with a large finger. And she had thought that the dwarves' hands were big. He began to unwind the cloth roll before he answered her.

"I will tend to your arms and listen to your story," he said setting down the cloth. "If your tale pleases, thrills, or amuses me, then you may stay. If not I will send you and your company on your way. Agreed?" She nodded swallowing and hastily reached for her mug of milk. The brim was so wide and the tankard hard to hold up with one hand, that milk dribbled down her chin on either side as she thirstily drank the cool creamy liquid.

"You need not rush," said Beorn, clearly amused as she wiped her face and reached for more bread. "I will wait for you to eat." He took her left hand and after checking the temperature, submerged her arm in the basin of water, along with the bandaging he had unwrapped.

"Perhaps I could begin our story," suggested Gandalf setting down his mug.

"No," scowled Beorn. "Your word has already proved less than reliable if one or two turns into 16 in your tales. I will hear it from the woman." Sara finished the bread and sat sucking the honey from her fingers, unsure how much to tell the large man. She knew he wanted to be entertained, and for that the whole truth would be best, or at least as much of the truth as was general knowledge to most of the company. After all, truth was often stranger than fiction, and that was certainly true in this case.

The hall had grown dark and Beorn had lit many wax candles before Sara had finished their story. The table was empty and Sara's arms had been soaked and rewrapped and were resting in her lap where she sat cross-legged in the wide chair. Gandalf and Thorin had brought out their pipes and Beorn sat with Tom's head in his lap. Thorin had tried to take the seat by Sara, but every time he moved, Tom rose his head and growled, making Beorn chuckle at the unhappy dwarf.

"So what do you think of our story?" asked Sara leaning forward and resting her arms on the table. Beorn was quiet for a moment before he smiled.

"It was well told, and though it may not be all true, you have pleased, thrilled and entertained me all in one. Go bring your company of dwarves in for the night," he said nodding to Thorin. Gandalf gave a sigh of relief and Sara slumped back in her chair. And so the company of Thorin Oakenshield was welcomed into Beorn's wooden halls. The large man stood by the door as each of the dwarves entered bowing low and offering him their names and services, which Beorn hastily dismissed, though he laughed heartily when Bofur stooped so low that his hat fell from his head and he scrambled to pick it up jamming it back on. They were fed until they could eat no more, all save Kili who was still asleep and had been laid to the side. Beorn then provided them with woolen blankets and sacks stuffed with straw for mattresses, which they laid out in the high ceilinged hall around the rectangular pit that now housed a crackling fire. Sara had been laying out her bed between Fili and a snoring Kili when Tom had come and made himself comfortable on Fili's bed, much to the consternation of the blond dwarf. Anytime he began to shift Tom, the dog would growl and finally, Fili had thrown his hands in the air and went to retrieve more bedding, leaving the tail wagging dog behind. Beorn disappeared soon after the beds were made and Gandalf had warned the company not to venture outdoors until after sunrise, or indeed outside at night at any time during their stay. Full bellies, comfortable beds, and the absence of their host has put the company at ease and the silence was soon filled with the humming and clear voices of the dwarves. Sara lay on her back listening to the smooth deep timbre of Thorin's voice mingled among the others and watched Gandalf's colorful smoke rings chase each other around the great wooden beams, out the hole in the ceiling, and into the night. She stroked Tom's head which rested on her stomach as her eyes slowly drifted closed and she fell into a deep and dreamless sleep.

Sara woke to Toms unhappy rumble and she opened her eyes blinking blearily up at the figure beside her. Thorin peered down at her. Sara smiled and rubbed Tom's head before pushing it aside to sit up. The beds beside her were empty.

"How's Kili?" she asked, pushing her tangled hair out of her face.

"Awake, fed, and outside," said Thorin holding out her unlaced boots. "As are many of the others." She pushed her feet into her boots and reached for the laces, amazed to find that her arms did not hurt as much as they had the previous morning and wondered what Beorn had soaked them in. Thorin got to his feet, extending a hand and pulled her up after him. "Come and eat." Tom bumped his head into their connected hands, growling. "This dog certainly knows how to make a nuisance of itself," grumbled Thorin crossing his arms. Sara laughed as they climbed the steps to the table. She took a seat next to Balin and Bilbo after retrieving a bowl of cooked oats from the kitchen. Finding Tom again beside Sara, Thorin took the seat opposite her. The only other occupant at the table was Ori, who sat with his books and papers spread out, making notes on the back of some of his sketches.

"Where is Gandalf?" asked Sara pouring cream and spooning honey into her bowl.

"Gone, who knows where," answered Bilbo pushing aside his bowl.

"And Beorn?"

"He has not yet returned," said Thorin pouring himself some milk with a grimace.

"So what do we do today?" she asked between mouthfuls of the soft sweet oats.

"I suggest we make ourselves as useful as we can," said Balin sagely. And so they had. After breakfast, she and Bilbo cleaned the kitchen which was being explored enthusiastically by Bombur. They swept and tidied the hall where they had slept, folding the blankets and rolling the makeshift straw mattresses to be stacked in a corner. Sara had assumed they were done inside, but Bilbo seemed able to find something to keep him busy, so she left the hobbit to enjoy his domestic chores with a hum. Instead she exited the tall wooden doors, Tom following behind her and out onto the wide porch where she found Bifur sitting on the steps. There was a stack of thin wood pieces next to him and he held one of them in his hands whittling away at it. He smiled and raised a hand in greeting as she passed by him and out into the yard. Thorin, Dwalin, and Gloin were making short work of the stack of logs that Beorn had been turning into firewood yesterday and as she passed by them, she could hear Fili and Kili's voices from one of the barns and Nori and Dori's from another along with the sounds of animals.

Sara came to stand at the edge of one of the sprawling vegetable gardens, and finding a patch that was shaded by a tall tree, knelt in the dirt beginning to weed one handed. She was fairly familiar with weeding as she had often cared for her grandmother's flower beds and even occasionally the vegetable gardens they decided to attempt. She soon found a good rhythm and as she worked to divest the garden of its weeds, Tom lounged in the shade of the nearby tree, dosing. She worked until Bofur came to find her for lunch and after had returned joined by Ori, Bilbo and Bofur; Bilbo and Sara often having to keep the dwarves from pulling up the vegetables. They had finished weeding and began to fill large woven baskets with ripe produce. Sara was working on a few tomato plants far behind the others as she was forced to work one handed when Nori found her.

"What are you doing?" he asked, catching her by the elbow. Tom raised his head from where he lay but put it back down simply watching.

"I'm tap dancing," she said sarcastically. "What does it look like I'm doing? I'm picking tomatoes." She reached for a large red fruit. "I would have thought that was obvious."

"No," said Nori taking the basket from her the crook of her left arm. "What are you doing? Don't you have something much more important to be doing?"

"Like what?" she asked, placing the tomato with the others in the basket.

"Shouldn't you be finding out what the future holds for our quest? Reading a certain book?" he whispered. Sara's eyes widened. She had been so caught up in the work at hand that she had forgotten the bigger picture. She kicked herself mentaly as she made her way back to the house and found her phone and charger in Ori's pack. She sat down away from the others under a tree just outside the wooden gate and powering on her phone and setting the charger in the sun she began to read. She was so frustrated to find that she had been literal inches away from preventing the company from being taken into the goblin tunnels, but after a bit more reading she saw that it was probably a blessing in disguise. If she had read only to the point of their capture and actively succeeded in preventing it, then Bilbo would never have gotten lost and won the ring from Gollum. Reading of Bilbo's run in with Gollum who she knew well from the other books had been surreal. Bilbo's verbal account the other night must not have done his experience credit, for the account in the book was much more detailed and she noticed a few small discrepancies, for in a way Bilbo had cheated. But Sara could hardly blame him. She didn't believe that in life or death situations it was possible to cheat, you did whatever you had to to survive. She had just reached the point of Bilbo's reunion with the dwarves and Gandalf, when the real gray wizard approached the gate through the tall grass. He looked tired as he came to stand in front of her, leaning on his staff, and removing his hat to wipe the sweat from his brow.

"Ms. Sara, catching up on your reading I presume?"

"Yes," she said stretching and stifling a yawn.

"Have you learned anything new?" he asked, returning his hat to his head and watching her with piercing dark blue-gray eyes.

"No," she said scratching behind Tom's ears and wrinkling her nose at the drool dribbling onto her leg. "I haven't caught up to current events just yet."

"I see. Then I will leave you to it," he said, and walked through the gate towards Beorn's house. Sara sighed and began to read again. The shadows began to lengthen but she did not notice, even as Tom laid his head on her shoulder breathing into her ear, she was unaware of the drool dripping onto her shirt. She had just seen Bilbo and the dwarves into the forest of mirkwood on the elvin road when a voice spoke by her side.

"What are you reading?" asked Bilbo bending over her shoulder. Sara gave a terrific start and let out a scream, causing Tom to wake and bound to his feet hackles raised and teeth bared. Bilbo shrunk back in fear and as she fought to bring her own heart back into her chest, Sara found herself trying to comfort both dog and hobbit.

"Oh my gosh Bilbo," she said, hastily stuffing her phone in her pocket before leaning back on the tree with a hand over her face. "You really ought to make more noise when you approach people." She let the hand slide from her face and peered out at him.

"I did. I was careful to make plenty of noise," he defended. "But you were so engrossed in your phone you didn't notice," he said, hands on hips. She smiled up at him.

"Sorry I guess I'm a bit jumpy." Bilbo waved off her apology.

"It's quite alright. What may I ask, had such a grip on your attention?"

"I was just reading some old stuff. Taking a trip down memory lane," she said, cringing a bit at the half truth. "Did you need something?"

"Bombur sent me to inform you that supper is ready, and Gandalf wanted me to remind you of the time and bring you inside before the sun sets." Sara glanced at the sun which was indeed beginning to disappear behind the trees. She got to her feet and walked with Bilbo back to the house. He and Bombur must have been quite industrious, for though there was no meat the table was heavy laden with good things to eat. It seemed that they had made good use of the large basket of eggs they had found earlier. The table was piled high with an assortment of cooked vegetables, sweetbreads, egg omelettes and quiches, and even several pies from the berries and apples that had been gathered. As the smell filled her nose, Sara's mouth watered in anticipation. It seemed everyone was at the table for the only spot open was on the far side of Fili and Kili, next to Beorn's empty chair. Kili caught her eye and grinned waggling his eyebrows, before he moved to sit on Fili's other side leaving the seat between Fili and Thorin the only available option.

"Come on lass, sit down, we are starving," called Bofur, winking and nodding knowingly at Thorin who had his eyes trained on Sara. She huffed shaking her head and took the empty seat. Tom pushed between the chairs whining softly as he raised his head and put it in Sara's lap. Soon plates and cups were filled, and emptied, and filled, and emptied again. Thorin kept a wary eye on the dog beside him and when Sara wasn't handing him bits of food, Tom was watching the dwarf, growling anytime Thorin reached anywhere near Sara. It felt good to be full again, and Sara slouched in her chair watching the rowdy dwarves eat. Before too long, Tom left to curl up on the pile of blankets Sara and Bilbo had stacked in the corner, and Thorin relaxed a bit. She had just pushed her plate to join the others in the center of the table when they all turned at the sound of heavy footsteps outside the door. Beorn came in from the dark, carrying a large keg on one shoulder. He tromped over and took his seat at the head of the table setting the keg to one side.

"I see you have made yourself at home little bunny," said Beorn pointing to Bilbo's fourth plate of food.

"Yes thank you," said Bilbo nodding politely. "It has been quite a while since I have eaten so much and I have sorely missed it."

"So your cinched belt tells me." said Beorn filling his own plate, which had been set out for him. "I have heard of the voracious appetites of your kind." His eyes twinkled as he got to his feet and took the barrel to the large stone counter and pulled the plug allowing a large pitcher to fill. "I have also heard that dwarves enjoy their ale, and though I have none I would share my honey mead with you." He began his way around the table filling mugs, which were quickly emptied in anticipation. "I have tested the truth of your tale and found it wanting in no way. You spoke the truth." He took Sara's cup and filled it but Thorin quickly swapped, giving her his empty one.

"This cup would be better suited for you I think," he said, smiling wickedly. Beorn paused looking at Thorin and then at Sara.

"Are you perhaps carrying his child little Sara?" asked Beorn, as he skipped her mug and moved to Fili's. Dwalin snorted and spluttered into his drink and came up coughing, thumping his chest with a fist as Bofur broke into peels of laughter. Sara felt her face go red and she opened and closed her mouth rocking with indignation. The others around the table save Balin and Gandalf fell quiet, their faces paling as they turn to watch Sara. Balin and Gandalf sported smiles. Beorn filled Kili's mug and sat waiting for an answer. Thorin calmly brought his mug to his lips and took a long drink before speaking.

"Why would you assume such a thing?" asked Thorin looking to Beorn as Sara hid her face in her hands.

"I have often heard that human women will forego alcohol when they are carrying a child," said Beorn. "And you all dote on her, but none more protectively than you," he said, pointing at Thorin.

"I have learned the hard way never to assume anything about a woman, particularly Sara," said Thorin taking another drink. Beorn sat back in his chair watching them pensively.

"Very wise," said Gandalf nodding.

"If she is not with your child, or any others, then why do you presume to curtail her drinking habits?"

"I mearly had the best interests of my boots at heart," replied Thorin smoothly. There were several chuckles around the table and Sara looked up surprised. She leveled a glare on Thorin.

"You told them!" she accused, punching his shoulder and instantly regretting it as pain throbbed through her arm. She tried to blink back the tears that sprang ready to her eyes. Oin had cornered her at lunch and tended to her burns but that had been many hours ago and it seemed that it had worn off.

"Nori enjoys telling stories," said Thorin watching her face carefully, clearly concerned as she wiped tears from her eyes with the back of her hand. "I simply corrected the erroneous assumptions that were a result of his account. I did not think you would like the others to believe the same as you once did. I'm sorry if I did wrong, I meant to preserve your good character."

"Yeah your good character as a lightweight," snickered Kili into his mug.

"What was that Kiwi," said Sara glaring. He snapped his jaw shut, a sour look on his face, but she caught Fili's faint smirk.

"I'm sorry," said Thorin, taking her hand. "I did not mean to cause you tears."

"It's not you," she admitted. "I think that punch hurt me more than you." He chuckled lightly and began to unwrap her burns as Ori slid the ointment across the table to him. Beorn shifted in his chair and pulled a small container from the shelf behind him.

"Try this on her burns as well," he said passing it down the table. "Now, little Sara, it seems you left a rather amusing tidbit from your story last night. A tidbit that I would very much like to hear, for it has been long since I have had such amusing or industrious houseguests." He nodded his thanks to the company. Sara looked around at her friend's considering as Thorin began to tend her arms much to her relief.

"Do they really all know?" she asked Thorin.

"Nearly all," he replied. "I do not think Mr. Baggins or Gandalf know however."

"Alright," sighed Sara. "But you have to help me. Obviously I was not lucid for much of it." By the time the story had been told by Sara, Thorin and some of the others, Beorn was laughing quite amusedly as he rounded the table for the third time refilling cups.

"I can well see why you would wish to protect your boots," he said.

"Ya ya, I know," said Sara exasperatedly, picking at her new bandages. "Any one of you could outdrink me, Bilbo can out-eat or out-sneak me, my ears and eyes are not as good as a dwarfs, and you are certainly stronger and more durable than me. Go ahead rub it in."

"Don't feel bad about it lass," said Dwalin. "It's just the way things are."

"You're better at swimming," offered Fili, giving her a playful nudge.

"Well sure, there are things that I can do that you can't, like drive a car, operate a multitude of appliances, and fly across an ocean, but that doesn't really matter here in Middle Earth." Sara stared at the table forlornly. "I bet there's one thing I could beat you all at," she said leaning forward to grab something off the table, her face brightening.

"And what would that be lass," asked Balin from his place across from them. Sara held the small orange fruit between her thumb and forefinger.

"Peppers. I bet I can eat more peppers and spicier ones than anyone here." Thorin took the pepper from her.

"You think you can eat more of these than me," he smirked. "I doubt it."

"Care to test it," she challenged.

"That I would," he said. "But what do I get if I win."

"What do you want?" she replied. "I don't really have anything." He studied her face, his expression unreadable.

"I will tell you when I win," he said finally, setting down the pepper and crossing his arms.

"If you win," she corrected. "So what do I get if I win?" His answer was quick.

"I will replace your lost coat."

"What, do I get yours?" she teased, running a hand over the collar of his furred coat.

"I had thought to get you a new one, one better suited to your size," he admitted. "But," he said leaning closer to whisper into her hair. "If you like the smell of mine so much, I could be persuaded to part with it." Kili snickered quietly beside Fili who was watching Sara and Thorin looking as though he were piecing together a puzzle.

Beorn stood and went to the kitchen bringing back a basket of peppers they had picked earlier that day. "I for one would enjoy watching such a competition, but two seems too few combatants," said Beorn with a smile.

"Aye, it is," said Dwalin. "I'll join your challenge lass."

Several minutes later the table had been cleared of all but the cups, and those who were participating sat at the end of the table near Beorn who had sorted and arranged the peppers from mild to hot. Across from Sara sat Thorin and beside him was Dwalin who faced Fili and next to him was Bofur who was opposite Gloin. Sara had been surprised when Bofur agreed to participate because she could remember what happened with the cinnamon gum, but he insisted on trying.

"Are you sure you wont join us Bilbo," asked Bofur.

"Quite," assured Bilbo. "I don't relish indigestion." Bets were made quietly and Nori had been put in charge of the few coins that were still had among the dwarves, and a few from Gandalf and Beorn.

"Last chance," said Sara, looking around at the others. "You sure you want to go up against me?"

"Regretting your challenge already?" asked Thorin smirking. "You could forfeit now and acknowledge that I win."

"Not a chance," she said defiantly. Each was provided with a drink of their choice, the dwarves choosing mead and Sara sticking with her milk. The first round consisted of eating long skinny green peppers which Sara was surprised to see even Bofur finish, though he and Gloin did drink heavily from their tankards. The next peppers, according to Beorn, wear large and yellow peppers. One was quickly sliced into six pieces and handed around. These peppers were noticeably hotter, but Sara just grinned as Fili and Gloin took long drinks and Bofur tapped out. Sara, Thorin and Dwalin remained unfazed. The third group of peppers wear medium sized red and orange things. Sara popped it into her mouth without hesitation, but Gloin began to cough and sputter as he drank trying to wash away the heat, forfeiting when his mead was gone. Sara watched Fili as he swished and swallowed, his eyes brimming with tears; he sniffed and also conceded defeat. The fourth round were small orange peppers that reminded her of habaneros. She, Thorin, and Dwalin began to chew but she noticed tears start to slip down the warrior's face. She chewed hastily and swallowed, reaching for her milk, carefully swishing it around her mouth sip-by-sip. Dwalin had finished his drink and Thorin was about halfway through his when Dwalin seemed to jump in his seat.

"Are you okay?" she asked between sips and sniffs.

"Aye lass," said Dwalin jumping again. "I must say I don't know how you -hic- do it. I think this -hic- is as far as -hic- I go." Sara laughed as the burly dwarf gave way to a bout of hiccups. She was certainly not the only one to receive a watery death glare. "Put her in her place Thorin," he said jumping again as Beorn refilled his mug.

"I will," said Thorin blinking rapidly and removing his coat.

"You will try," countered Sara. "What one is next?" Beorn chuckled and pushed two shriveled orange peppers forward.

"These are the second hottest peppers I grow," he said. "Let's see what you make of them. My money's on you little Sara." She nodded and picked up her pepper twirling it by the stem.

"Ready?" she asked, but Thorne already had his in his mouth and was chewing, a pained look on his face. About the third chew his back straightened and he squeezed his eyes shut. Cautiously, Sara bit into hers. At first it was very sweet, but seconds later heat filled her mouth and she suddenly really regretted the decision to eat the shriveled pepper. She chewed as quickly as she could and reached for her milk swallowing it down in great gulps, Thorin for his part was also guzzling his mead. Sara slowed to sips letting the fatty milk coat her tongue and throat, trying to think her way through the heat as tears streamed down her face. She set down her mug and Bilbo was there at her elbow, handing her a much-needed handkerchief. She wiped her face and held the cloth to her nose. Breathing hurt.

"Had enough?" she asked, her words muffled behind the handkerchief. Thorin didn't reply but shook his head holding another of Bilbo's handkerchiefs to his nose and mouth. Beorn pushed the last set of peppers forward with a wide grin on his face. Sara examined the golden skin dotted with black spots trying not to think about how much this was going to hurt. She had never seen a pepper like this before and that did not bode well. With a look of regret Thorin picked one up, wiped the sweat from his brow and gingerly placed the harbinger of heat in his mouth chewing rapidly. Not fast enough. About ten seconds later Sara heard the first hiccups. Thorin's eyes widened as he jolted. He coughed and spit the pepper out into his hand. "I can't do it," he moaned, after guzzling all his mead. He reached for the jug to refill his drink, but Sara took pity on him and stopped his hand. Instead, she pushed her milk to him.

"This one would be better suited to you," she said, smirking at him. He snorted but took her milk all the same. After a few gulps he stopped and looked at her.

"You knew," he accused. "You knew milk would work better than mead didn't you." She shrugged.

"Maybe."

"Yet you said nothing?" She shrugged again. "That's a dirty trick."

"All's fair in love and war, even if it's just a war of peppers. Besides," she said. "I thought you would agree with me that it's not cheating to know more than your opponent."

He tried to suppress a hiccup and took another drink watching her from over the top of the mug. Sara picked up the last pepper examining it, trying not to think about the pain to come.

"Are you going to withdraw lass," asked Balin.

"What happens if we tie?" she asked. Thorin set down her milk.

"Then we both pay the price agreed," he said befor Beorn refilled her mug and he pushed it to her.

"What do you want from me?" she asked again, but he just shook his head.

"Do you admit a tie?" he asked seriously.

"No," she sighed. "I just really don't want to eat this pepper." Her mouth was still burning from the last one.

"You can do it," said Fili, coming to stand beside her. "Don't quit now." Several the others called their encouragement. Shutting her eyes Sara pushed the pepper into her mouth and chewed. Heat exploded in her mouth, nose, and throat, far worse than anything she had ever experienced. She laid her forehead on the table trying to think of snow, ice and …

"Give up," coaxed Thorin. "Then we both win." She raised her head, glaring at him.

"Don't do it," called Kili. "You're so close!" Eyes watering, nose running, and trying hard to suppress the spasms in her diaphragm she chewed and chewed. She finally seemed to be able to push the fire down her throat. Taking her milk she guzzled the whole thing in one go, only stopping when it was empty. "Yeah," she croaked, opening her mouth and sticking out her tongue in triumph. There were mixed groans and cheers from around the table. Shaking his head in disbelief Thorin just grinned at her. Nori passed out coins to Balin, Kili, Gandalf, and Beorn. He had just stepped away when Beorn caught his arm.

"Turn out your pockets thief!" ordered Beorn, his voice darker and heavier then they had yet heard it. The table fell silent and the air was thick with tension.

"Nori!" scolded Dori from across the room.

"Turn them out," said Thorin glaring at the thief. Nori let his shoulders drop and dug in his pocket and slid two coins across the table. He tried to step away but Beorn's massive hand remained clamped firmly around his bicep.

"I won't repeat myself," warned Beorn.

"Nori," urged Thorin. "All of it." Nori seemed to wilt but began to pull an unexpected assortment of objects from his pockets. First was a plain silver ring set with a milk white stone, several individual keys, and the silver spoon Sara had seen him take in Rivendell. Beorn folded his arms across his chest watching as a ballpoint pen, a few beads of different make, and a small carved wooden fox joined the pile, his deep frown slowly slipping from his face as he picked up the carved animal. Next came a lavender silk ribbon, several large feathers from the eagles, and a glass swan which Bilbo scooped up, jaw dropping.

"But this is mine," gasped the Hobbit in disbelief. "How did it wind up here? It should be on the table in my sitting-room back in Bag End!" Nori just shrugged and grinned as he also pulled one of Bilbo's old handkerchiefs from his pocket and handed it over. A sewing needle, several uncut green stones, a small used bar of soap, and a green speckled chicken egg were placed in front of a perplexed Beorn, and finally Nori withdrew something that clinked and jangled from his breast pocket.

"My keys!" exclaimed Sara, snatching them from his proffered hand. "Really Nori? I thought I lost them ages ago. Why even take them?"

"They're interesting," said Nori, taking them back from her. "And I like this." He pushed the button on the laser pointer and made the red dot bounce across the table before he gave them back to her. She looked at them thoughtfully and handed them back to him.

"Here," she said. "I don't really need them anymore. I doubt I will ever get back to earth." She looked at the assortment of items on the table. "You know, you're not really a thief, more like a highly-skilled kleptomaniac." Beorn picked up the chicken egg inspecting the shell.

"Why steal the egg?" he asked bewildered.

"To see how long I could carry it without breaking it," shrugged Nori. "And the shell was pretty with the speckles." Beorn looked at Nori, and then the egg, and then back to the thief before breaking out into deep belly laughter that reverberated throughout the wooden house. The unease in the room snapped like a rubber band and all watched the large man hand the egg back to Nori.

"Keep your odd treasures little thief." He pushed the pile back across the table to Nori who began to pocket his small trove. Beorn stood. "To bed all, and when the sun rises once again I will tell you how I may yet aid your plight."

Sara went to retrieve a mattress and blanket but when she returned she found a bed already laid out for her beside Fili, Kili and Bilbo. Thorin's coat was draped over it. She looked up and met his eyes where he sat on his blankets unlacing his boots across the hall.

"I still want a new coat," she called to Thorin, wriggling under the blanket and familiar fur's warmth.

He chuckled. "I know."